Automatic external defi brillators in Belgian fi tness centres

Abstract

Background The number of fi tness centres has increased in Western countries, some proposing specifi c training programmes (cardiac patients, weight loss or seniors). There is a real risk of cardiovascular events for individuals without cardiovascular evaluation. Fitness centres could represent a place at particularly high risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).Objective and methods In this observational study, we evaluated the number of fi tness centres with automatic external defi brillators (AEDs) throughout the French-speaking part of Belgium, their geographic localization, the number of attendees, and the number of SCA reported.Details of AED and SCA were obtained by telephone survey.Results A total of 51 centres were surveyed. Only 5 (9.8%) had an AED and 68.8% (35/51) of centres had ≥ 1 staff members specifi cally trained in CPR. Since the opening of these facilities, 5 SCA were reported from 3 centres (5.9%). Only 2 fi tness centres had an AED present at the time of the SCA. Two SCA were unwitnessed, and for another 2 victims AED was used without success. Well-conducted CPR (no AED available) resulted in the only survivor of SCA.Conclusion The rate of SCA in fi tness centres in French-speaking Belgium is comparable to that reported in other countries. AED were available in less than 10% of centres and no CPR trained staff was available in almost one third of the centres.